Funded by the Arts Council North West over a six year period, Alchemy offers artists a unique opportunity to access University staff and collections for self-directed, practice-led research. Contracts are negotiated with each artist at the beginning of their project to agree areas of interest and a research programme.

Over six years Alchemy produces 12 exhibitions, 5 publications, 5 films and a programme of artist-led public

events that includes talks, film screenings and field trips and a national conference exploring the experience of artists working with institutional collections.